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A large crowd is expected tonight at Nationals Park to see what will likely be the final home start of Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg.

If the Marlins lose tonight, they are mathematically eliminated from the National League East race.

Strasburg is expected to be shut down after his start next week against the Mets.

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen had lots to say when asked what he thinks about Washington’s plan to shut down its top pitcher even though the Nats are trying to win Washington’s first playoff berth since 1933.
“It’s nobody’s (bleeping) business what they do with Strasburg. That’s between Washington, Strasburg and the team.

“Those guys made a decision in spring training — this kid is not going to be there (in late September). A lot people have different (bleeping) opinions. They’re doing this for a reason and it’s not my problem.

“It’s funny how people are making a big deal about it. Maybe it’s TV time…

“Do they need him? Yes. But the four guys they have behind him are (bleeping) good, too. If those guys have a Yankees situation, (bleep) you, you’re pitching. But they don’t. They have four guys out there plus they have one of the best bullpens in the league…

“Be careful if you change your mind, you might regret it…

“I guarantee if they was the Yankees…they need that guy to start, ‘You start and we’ll see what happens later.’ But they are in a great position. And they have four guys behind him. Obviously he’s one of the best pitchers in the game…

“At the end of the day it’s nobody’s business…

“But I bet you if he was their one ace, ‘ah, man, let’s think about this.’ But they have four (solid) guys out there. For the playoffs you’re going to need three starters. Gio, Zimmerman…. And the lefty (Detwiler) is better than everyone in the last three months! They don’t talk about him.

“You put one of those two guys in the bullpen as a reliever. It’s not do or die stuff. If people think, ‘OK, this might be the last chance for them to be in the playoffs,’ well, too bad…

“If you don’t have somebody to cover that hole, then maybe you think about it. (But they) have a lot of guys. It’s not like they’re waiting for a starter to win it – they’re winning every night. Different ways. Plus the bullpen they have, that is the difference in any playoff, in any post-season. The post season is whoever gets the biggest hits with two outs and who is pitching better.

“I think people are making a bigger deal… It IS a big deal but I think those four guys, they’re good. They’re very good.

Talking about Strasburg, Guillen said:

“He’s very, very professional and very hungry. He’s not cocky, arrogant. He just goes about his business. That’s nice to see. Baseball needs people like that, like him, like (Giancarlo) Stanton, like (Bryce) Harper. We need those guys. Enough of the old farts. Now there’s some new blood coming to baseball. Fans need players like that.”